Cassandra Like This Is So Delicious
"They really are two lunatics," Harry said with a shrug.
"A lunatic—ha, that's an accurate assessment." Sirius chuckled and shook his head, taking another sip of tea as if trying to wash away the absurdity with the hot tea. "A powerful, ruthless lunatic, yet also extremely stubborn and stupid in certain aspects, paired with another brain-damaged Goblin fairy—they are indeed a perfect match."
Just then, a door on one side of the restaurant was silently pushed open.
Cassandra walked in from outside, wearing a dark green long dress that perfectly suited her academic background. Her long, slightly wavy, pale blonde hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose, adding to her air of high-mindedness.
This Cass looks so delicious!
"Good evening." Cassandra walked up to them, smiling and greeting them with that ingrained, aria-like tone. "Looks like I've arrived at just the right time, just in time for your family's dinner?"
"You're family too," Harry corrected. "Aren't you family? You're going to be called Cassandra Potter from now on."
"Ha, you wicked little Potter," Cassandra muttered, making a sarcastic remark to Harry that was hard to decipher—whether it was flirting or teasing—but she didn't object to Harry words.
"Sit down and talk, Cass," Veratia said, gesturing to the empty seat next to her.
The House Elf immediately slid down to his knees silently, set out the tableware for Cassandra, and poured her a glass of chilled pear liqueur.
Cassandra sat down gracefully, placing the folder she had been holding on the table. Without reaching for her drink, she cut straight to the point. "In short, based on the textual information provided by our North America informant, combined with the fragmented information Lucius gleaned indirectly, it doesn't point to any specific location."
She paused for a moment, then spoke again, "Actually, it's more like a coordinate system, designed to unlock a hidden space, or rather, it's actually a cipher system."
"These coordinates, after analysis—" Cassandra paused for a moment, then continued, "If the analysis is correct, should be some kind of ancient seal."
"A seal?" Harry and Veratia exchanged a glance.
"Yes, the seal." Cassandra turned the folder towards everyone and gently opened it.
What appeared above were not words, but dynamic and complex geometric figures, with occasional flashes of Runic script and Goblin runes.
"To be precise, it's a system of shackles consisting of eighty-eight interconnected, progressively layered ancient seals." Her slender fingers traced across the Parchment, the images shifting and changing with her movements, like a PowerPoint presentation.
Similarly, "These seals are not simple magical barriers, but we have no way of knowing exactly what they are."
Veratia furrowed her delicate brows slightly, her fingertips unconsciously tracing circles on Harry's thigh—a habitual gesture when she was thinking.
"So what are these seals sealing?" Harry pointed out the core question.
Cassandra gently closed the folder, and the flowing light and shadow disappeared.
She leaned back in her chair, her posture elegant yet tinged with weariness.
"I don't know," she confessed, her voice tinged with scholarly excitement. "All the records I could find were vague and ambiguous. Some called it a venomous snake, others a Morning Star, and the older Goblin tablet used an almost poetic metaphor—the slumbering Seventh Heaven."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"All we know is that they are extremely ancient, perhaps even predating magic itself in its current form. Breaking them is far more than simply unlocking eighty-eight locks; it's like peeling back the layers of the world to expose an organization beneath that we cannot comprehend. As for what will ultimately be revealed—"
She spread her hands, her tone full of helplessness.
"Perhaps it exists in ways we cannot imagine, perhaps it is pure nothingness, perhaps we will only know what lies beneath when the final seal is broken. Of course, it is also possible that we will never have the chance to know—if the world is destroyed before that, due to the loosening of the seal."
The atmosphere instantly became tense after Cassandra finished speaking.
The House Elf served their masters hot drinks at just the right time, the slight clinking of teacups and trays standing out clearly in the silence.
Sirius and Gemma asked further questions about the possible location of the seal and details of international cooperation. Cassandra answered each question based on the available information, but the core mystery remained shrouded in a thick fog.
Sirius checked the time and stood up.
"It's getting late, Gemma and I should head back to London. There's a ton of mess to clean up at the ministry tomorrow." He patted Harry on the shoulder. "Keep in touch, Harry. And—you two too,"
He looked at Veratia and Cassandra, a teasing smile on his face, like that of an elder, "Take good care of our Harry, don't let him get involved in anything too complicated. Of course, I know it's pointless to say that—given Harry's personality, he won't hide behind you."
"Do you think I'm incapable of handling danger?" Harry felt a little uneasy.
"Oh no." Sirius smiled and shook his head, "I just think your IQ might not be enough to handle more complex problems, hahaha."
Harry took a deep breath----
Never mind, he's my Godfather, he's my Godfather, don't be angry.
Gemma smiled and said goodbye to everyone, carefully putting away her Notebook filled with notes.
With a flash of green flame in the fireplace, Sirius and his wife disappeared into the fireplace.
Only Harry, Veratia, and Cassandra remained in the restaurant, along with the House Elf who stood silently in an unseen corner.
The atmosphere seemed to suddenly become subtle, and a certain feeling that had been suppressed by the major issues began to quietly flow.
Veratia picked up her glass of wine, gently swirled it, and carefully examined how the glistening liquid clung to the crystal glass.
She spoke first, her voice soft yet carrying undeniable weight.
The metaphor "Cass, the slumbering Seventh Heaven" seems familiar; I recall seeing it mentioned in fragments of some very ancient, almost destroyed Knights Templar. I remember it having some subtle connection to the legend of the "fallen morning Morning Star." Do you have a more detailed cross-reference in your database?
She didn't look at Cassandra, but stared at the swirling liquid in her glass, as if the answer lay within it.
Cassandra removed her glasses and carefully wiped them with a velvet cloth, her movements slow and deliberate. When she put them back on, a knowing smile, typical of Pure-blood families, curved her lips.
"The Knights Templar records? Interesting—I thought that most of what those fanatical Muggle protectors—or rather, the Muggle elite who feared magic—left behind was 'well protected' or 'cleanly disposed of' by the wizards."
She deliberately added a subtle tone to the word "protect".
"My information comes more from the ancient traditions of Magical Creatures and the secret chronicles of certain long-established wizarding families," she added. "But you don't need to worry."
"Wait a minute," Harry suddenly said, frowning. "The fallen morning Morning Star? I feel like I've heard a similar story somewhere before?"
"Is that so?" Cassandra picked up her glass and took a small sip. "First, rule out Lucifer —you should know, Harry, that's just a legend."
"It's hard to say," Harry shrugged. "What if you eliminate the correct option right away?"
"We should focus on the problem itself now, instead of making wild guesses here." Cassandra's eyes darkened.
Harry thought for a moment, then said, "Regarding the exact location of the seal, shouldn't we start by investigating known locations that might be related? For example, some historically famous magical ruins, or energy anomalies?"
"Excellent suggestion, Harry." Veratia put down her glass. "The Restricted Section of Hogwarts Library and the rare book collection at Beauxbatons should offer some clues. Also, we could ask Mr. LeMay; after all, he's lived long enough that he might have some knowledge of the concepts of eternity and confinement."
Harry suddenly felt a headache coming on.
"It's getting late." Veratia stood up. "Harry has to go back to Hogwarts tomorrow. Cass, could you give me a summary of your analysis report before breakfast tomorrow? I need it to be integrated into the preliminary briefing for the International Confederation of Wizards."
"Of course." Cassandra also rose gracefully, taking the folder in her hand. "I will make sure the contents are accurate enough."
She walked over to Harry, and naturally reached out to brush a non-existent hair from his shoulder—a gesture both intimate and natural, yet with a casual assertion of ownership. "Goodnight, Harry. Remember our little promise."
Veratia stood on Harry's other side, not making the same intimate gesture, but just watching quietly, a smile on her lips, but a faint hint of murderous intent in her eyes.
She simply said softly, "Get some rest, Harry. We'll see each other again soon."
no?
Harry was a little stunned.
A small agreement?
I don't recall making any little promises with you, Cass!
Are you trying to harm me?
He looked at Cassandra again, only to find that Cassandra was also looking at him with a mocking gaze.
That's disgusting!
He was now absolutely certain that Cassandra had done it on purpose, with the aim of stirring up Veratia's jealousy and making her explode with resentment.
"Take a break." Veratia gave Harry a meaningful look. "Cass and I have some things to discuss."
Harry sighed.
He returned to his room and took a comfortable bath with the help of his House Elf.
However, just as he left the bathroom and entered the room, he found that Veratia had somehow gotten up and was sitting by his bedside.
Only one wall lamp was lit in the room. Harry looked in the direction of the light and saw Veratia wearing only a long black dress.
The black dress wasn't the glamorous style for a banquet; rather, it was a simple robe made of some kind of velvet material, with a V-neck that revealed her beautiful collarbone and a patch of fair skin, seemingly glowing in the dim light.
She placed her hands folded on her knees, her posture serene, her violet eyes filled with love.
My heart is practically overflowing with love.
"Veratia?" Harry pulled off the towel, somewhat surprised, but not entirely.
After all, Veratia had just made it clear to him that they would see each other again soon.
"Are you done washing?" Veratia's voice was softer and gentler than usual.
She patted the soft mattress beside her. "Come sit down, your hair is still wet, be careful not to catch a cold."
Without the slightest hesitation, Harry walked over and sat down next to Veratia.
The warmth from his recent shower and the faint scent of cedar wood wafted between them.
Veratia naturally reached out and took the towel from his hand, gesturing for him to turn around.
Harry obediently turned his back to her, feeling those slender hands gently wiping his dark hair through the towel.
She's very gentle, just like a mother.
That's right, Veratia is the woman who could become my mother!
"What little promise did Cass mention?" Veratia's voice came from above him, very soft, devoid of any emotion. "What promise? I don't know anything about it."
They've arrived.
Harry sighed inwardly.
The Vienna vinegar king, she's really got going!
"She's talking nonsense," Harry tried to sound lighter. "Or maybe she just said it on purpose, you know her, Veratia, she just loves to see other people, well, get anxious."
To be honest, Harry did think so, because he didn't remember what kind of agreement he and Cassandra had made.
Did you do it on purpose or by accident?
"In a hurry?" Veratia paused for a moment, then continued, her grip seeming a little tighter. "Judging from your expression, you didn't seem anxious, more like you were feeling guilty?"
Harry felt like Veratia was about to crack his skull open; how could she suddenly have such a strong grip?
"What are you talking about? How could I be feeling guilty?" he said, somewhat amused and exasperated. "Darling, you know me. How could I possibly be hiding anything from you?"
"Really?" Veratia narrowed her eyes and stopped what she was doing.
"Of course!" Harry said immediately, turning to look at her, but Veratia gently pressed his shoulder and turned him back.
"Don't move, you're not dry yet." Her lips were already close to Harry's ear, her warm breath tickling his ear. "Let me dry you properly first, and then—"
As she spoke, Veratia's nose was already close to Harry's ear.
The two were so close that Harry could smell Veratia's fragrance.
It really smells wonderful, not like the artificial scent of perfume, but a natural body odor that's very pleasant and makes the Gryffindor boys stand at attention.
At the same time, Harry also felt Veratia's grip loosen.
She snapped her fingers, and Harry's hair dried instantly. Then, Harry felt himself being held in Veratia's arms.
One delicate hand encircled his waist, while the other gently patted Harry's back, softly singing him a nursery rhyme.